Fast Fashion (the production of inexpensive, trendy clothing) has transformed how people shop, encouraging consumers to buy more clothes more frequently at lower prices. Brands like Zara, H&M, Shein, Temu, etc., are constantly releasing new styles to keep up with the constantly changing trends. Although these items may be affordable, there are extreme costs to the environment and the safety of human lives.
Fast fashion ranks among one of the most environmentally destructive industries in the world. The fashion industry alone is responsible for approximately 10% of global carbon emissions and is the second-largest user of water globally, generating more greenhouse gases than all international flights and sea transport combined. The production of a single cotton shirt can consume about 700 gallons of water, and a pair of jeans can use as much as 2000 gallons. Also, as toxic water is often released into rivers and streams without proper treatment, textile dyeing is again one of the world’s largest sources of water pollution. Many fast fashion products are made of synthetic materials such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic, which take hundreds of years to biodegrade. These products also release tiny plastic particles called microplastics during washing. These particles are so small they pass through water treatment systems, accumulate in oceans and waterways, and enter the food chain, causing risks to both wildlife and human health.
In addition to the effects on the environment, the negative effects of fast fashion also include its effects on society, especially in developing nations. Approximately 75% of people employed in the fashion industry are women, mostly between 18 and 35 years old. These women work in dangerous conditions for extremely low wages. The fashion industry purposefully exploits countries with ineffective labor laws, (paying workers below a living wage, ignoring safety regulations, and avoiding accountability), in nations such as Bangladesh, India, China, and Vietnam. The problems associated with this system were revealed in 2013 with the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh, which resulted in the death of 1,134 workers due to the owners’ disregard for safety warnings. This disaster caused international outrage. Still, fewer than 2% of garment workers worldwide earn a living wage.
Lila S., a junior at Greeley, said, “As a high school junior, I often have limited funds, and because of that, it is often convenient for me to order from Shien because everything is cheap and accessible.” This affordability is one reason why fast fashion brands such as Shein and Temu have promoted overconsumption through their online marketing campaigns. These include constant advertisements on social media, huge discounts for a short period of time, and features such as “spin-the-wheel” discounts that promote impulsive buying and the normalization of overconsumption.
However, due to these effects, the movement against fast fashion has increased. Clothing rental platforms, including Nuuly, try to extend the life of garments and avoid unnecessary production by allowing consumers to rent garments instead of purchasing new ones. Similarly, second-hand marketplaces like Depop and Poshmark help keep clothes cycling. Inventions like filters for washing machines, developed by companies like Baleena, filter microplastics before they reach bodies of water. Additionally, global industries like the UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion hold major production companies accountable, although this support varies.
Fast fashion impacts the environment, global warming, and millions of workers in the fashion world. To solve these issues, changes need to be made within the system and through consumers as well. By consuming less, contributing to alternatives, and questioning the value of cheap clothing, consumers can help change the exploitative system of fast fashion.
